'It would be amazing' – Fernandes wants to crown Ronaldo's career with World Cup glory

Bruno Fernandes says Portugal are determined to win the 2026 World Cup for everything Cristiano Ronaldo has given "to football and the world".

The Selecao are among the favourites to go all the way at this year's finals, where they are drawn to play DR Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia in Group K.

They win the trophy in 7% of the Opta supercomputer's pre-tournament simulations, with Spain (16%), France (12%), England (11%) and Argentina (11%) the only teams with higher chances.

Portugal are the reigning Nations League champions – winning the title for a second time last year after winning the inaugural event in 2019 – while they were also crowned European champions a decade ago.

Ronaldo, the record scorer in international football with 143 goals, has been the victorious captain on all three occasions, yet his nation's World Cup record remains fairly modest.

This year marks only their ninth appearance at the tournament, where runs to the semi-finals in 1966 and 2006 represent their best performances.

At 41 years old, this will likely be his sixth and final crack at World Cup glory, something which Fernandes and his team-mates are eager to bring to fruition.

"Wrapping up all this last World Cup with Cristiano ‌winning, it would be something ⁠amazing," Fernandes ‌said in an interview with Wayne Rooney.

"I really hope we can make it happen, not ​just for Portugal, but for everything Cristiano gave to football and the ⁠world."

Portugal begin their World Cup campaign against DR Congo on June 17, with Uzbekistan and Colombia also in Group K with them.